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Monday, November 30, 2009

Greetings from Las Vegas. Our flight was uneventful. Food not so good but what else is new. We are staying at the Mirage which is one of our favourite hotels.

I absolutely love the fountains in front of the Bellagio and could sit and watch them for hours. Unfortunately there was a slot machine calling my name so I had to go in and play. Didn't win anything but Beth and I did have some laughs.

I am at the mall right now-Nordstroms would be very upset if I didn't visit today. Hopefully they have some great shoes.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

We are about to leave for our parents. Dad is driving us to the airport. The suitcases have way too much stuff in them but how do I know what I will need? I will tell you that there is only one pair of shoes packed.

What knitting did I take?? I have been going back and forth for the past few days and couldn't come up with anything. I didn't want chunky yarn. I didn't want anything too hard. Who am I kidding-there won't be any time to knit in Vegas but I need to take something just in case. I decided to throw in a few balls of Noro Kureyon to work on another Log Cabin Afghan. It might take a year but it is easy knitting when I don't want to think.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Last night was week 2 for the Fake Isle Hat. The ladies started working Fair Isle. They are using one ball of Noro Kureyon and one skein of Cascade 220.

This is Danielle's first hat. She was comfortable with Fair Isle and came to class last night with her project finished.

With yarn she had at home Danielle started another hat.

Nathalie, Linda and Mary Beth moved along great with their Fair Isle.

I need to think about packing. What do I take?? How do I know on Saturday what I want to wear on Friday?? What knitting do I take?? What shoes do I want?? There are so many questions running through my head.

Our flight leaves at 8:30 in the morning. I will try and post from Vegas but it will depend on time and getting to the Apple store (free Wi-Fi).

Friday, November 27, 2009

Winter Blooms from Kim Hargreaves should be arriving very soon. You can preview the magazine on Kim's website. The garments are great!!!

I didn't receive a phone call yesterday so I stopped into the Ford dealership last night. No car. Maybe Monday. Dad and Beth are taking my Expedition back this afternoon. That is going to be an interesting conversation.

My morning has been crazy.

Call Rogers and add some plans to my phone-the rates are crazy without a plan.

-US phone

-US data

-US text

Call Visa and let them know I am away. I have payments to my suppliers going through on Monday and I don't want the payments declined. Or even worse my card declined in Vegas. I will be happily shopping on Monday morning.

I got a surprise in the mail today. A postcard from Coach for 20% off. It doesn't start until next Friday-that means I will have to shop on Monday and Friday next week.

Tonight is week 2 of the Fake Isle hat class-we will be knitting with 2 colours in a row. Everyone thinks this is hard but once they actually do it they realize that Fair Isle knitting isn't that hard after all.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

The lease on my Expedition was expiring at the end of October. I thought I was going to buy out the lease but as October approached I realized that I wanted a new car. Beth and I went off to the Ford dealership at the beginning of October and I ordered an Edge. It was supposed to arrive the third week of October. Every week I call the dealership and ask where my car is but they don't know. I was told 'it is off the line but we don't know when it will be delivered'. As a very impatient person I was starting to get mad. Last night dad and I decided that I was taking my Expedition back to the dealership tomorrow. The next lease payment is due and I don't want to make it. I need to buy a new sticker for the license. Don't want to do that either. We thought it might make them move quicker with getting me my car. I just called the dealership to arrange a meeting tomorrow to return the Expedition. Guess what-my car is supposed to arrive this afternoon. Could this be true???

I am unpacking a box from Namaste while writing this. There are new colours of the Needle Binder. We have Red, Eggplant and Lime in the store. Somehow I forgot to order the Peacock but we can get them-orders from Namaste are taking less than a week so there is lots of time if it is a Christmas gift.

In January I will be traveling to Long Beach California to see the new yarns for spring. Namaste will have new products-they won't share yet but I am sure they will be great. With the introduction of new products they are discontinuing a few current colours-Saddle, Charcoal and Turquoise.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The past few days have been crazy. There is a lot to get done before my flight leaves. Not only do I have store work to get done but Beth is asking for me to do some work for her. HELP!!!

At least 8 boxes arrived yesterday and today. I am going to keep a few arrivals a secret-they will be in the next newsletter that I have to write tomorrow night.

I was also busy updating the website. There is going to be a large order arriving the middle of December from one of my suppliers. This is hush, hush until it arrives but I can tell you that I am excited.

I will share these bags that just arrived from Offhand Designs. Meet the Suzannah bag in Ritz, Plaza and Astoria.

I have picked up Rochdale (my Rowan Big Wool Jacket) again. Since Monday I have knit half a sleeve which isn't very good because it is on 15mm needles.

It is now 10:15 and I have been working since 7:30 this morning. I think it is time to lay on the couch and unwind before bed.

Monday, November 23, 2009

In the last newsletter that was sent out I gave links to some mini sweaters that you can knit to decorate your tree. Here is the latest set of mini-sweaters from Berroco.

It has been a while since I posted. Friday after I closed the store we started a new class. The students are moving along with their hats and we are going to start working Fair Isle this Friday.

Saturday was absolutely crazy in the store. Thanks to all who visited. After work Beth and I went to Chapters for a quick look. $250 later-that is a quick look right? Then we went off to dinner with friends which turned into a late night.

I watched football and The Amazing Race yesterday. No knitting was done due to a migraine (I didn't drink on Saturday night so no it wasn't a hangover!!)

I am feeling much better today except I am tired. My hair appointment was at 8:30. Why that early? My dentist appointment was at 1:45. I also worked on some accounting, made up gift certificates, worked on the brochure for Camp 2010, emailed out some orders (Lantern Moon Needles and Crystal Palace-Mochi Plus and Mini Mochi) and went to the store to unpack some orders. The red Buddy Cases from Namaste arrived today. Blue Sky Alpacas sent some Bulky and Dyed Cotton.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Mountain Colours Bearfoot is totally up-to-date from my end. Just waiting for Korey to upload some pictures. While pulling the yarn from the shelf and counting it I fell in love with the colour Heather. Maybe another Clapotis??

I also worked on getting the Della Q bags and needle cases on the website.

Part of my day was spent knitting. Another 2 balls are done on my Vogue Scarf. 6 balls to go. I should get some done while clearing the DVR tonight.

I am looking forward to Survivor. Please let Russell stay.

That part of the post was written yesterday before I left work. Got home to find out that we had no Internet. I tried everything-even unplugging things. Just didn't want to work. I moved upstairs and watching some TV. A couple episodes of Law & Order SVU, Y&R, the football game (way to go Miami) and Survivor. My giant scarf is done. I just need to cast off but want to make sure on the length before I do. That will be tonight's job-it was after midnight before I went to bed last night and was too tired to think.

How about Survivor? I think this is the best season we have ever had. Russell finding the immunity idol again is priceless. But even more priceless was the look on Laura's face when she was voted off. Or maybe it was Dave's face when he realized that someone on his side had jumped.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Last night I finished work, ran and had my nails done and then crashed on the couch. The DVR is almost full so I had to get through some shows. I got a lot of knitting accomplished!!

Rowan Studio 17 just came in. This picture doesn't do the cover justice-the letters and numbers are silver glitter.

From the inside cover of the magazine"Sparkle...eight garments using Kid Silk Aura, Kid Silk Haze, Shimmer, Pure Silk DK and Wool Cotton. A collection of garments with extra sparkle that will allow you to party in style."

This is called Frill. Kid Silk Haze is used double strand on 5.5mm needles. It is knit sideways-a rectangle with slits for armholes.

When the rectangle is done you pick up all around and make the ruffle.

Another picture of Frill so that you can see it better. Martin Storey designed this great garment.

Sarah Hatton brings us the Lace Dress-it is also knit in Kid Silk Haze.

Wouldn't this look great as a tunic over leggings and a turtleneck?

Another order is on its way to us from Namaste including the new red Buddy case.

I have been knitting like crazy the last few days to get my Clapotis done. The pattern is free on Knitty.com. I used Silk Garden Sock on 4mm needles.

In this picture I still have some stitches to drop.

The stitches are now dropped. I still have the ends to sew in but wanted to get the picture taken before darkness hit.

I am already planning to knit another but would make it a bit narrower. I used 2 full balls of yarn-there was a lot of knitting.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Sunday afternoon at my house-football and knitting. I am on my way downstairs to wind more wool for my scarf. 6 balls are done and boy is it getting heavy. I will definitely be ready for the cold weather once it is done!!

The pattern is very easy to follow-there are only 24 stitches on the needle. All you need to know is knit, purl, yarn over, knit 2 together, ssk and purl 2 together.

Today is the perfect weather for dogs with coats to be playing outside.

Beth had the yard cleaned up last week (no socks) but Melo keeps bringing them outside.

I looked at these needle gauges at TNNA in June. Of course I didn't think about them again until this week when I decided that I needed them for the store. What a great Christmas gift!! An assortment of colours are coming. The gauges are size in metric-2mm-12mm.

A few of the gauges are coming as key chains. I wasn't sure if you would like these but if there is interest I will order more.

Two weeks today at this time Beth and I will be on an airplane flying to Vegas. The countdown has begun.

Friday, November 13, 2009

The Fake Isle hat is a great project to learn knitting Fair Isle (two colours in one row).

We will be running a class on Friday nightsNovember 20 7-8pmNovember 27 7-9pmDecember 11 7-9pm

We will be covering:-Knitting with circular and double pointed needles-Using 2 colours in a row-Reading a chart

Cost of the class is $85 (includes yarn for the hat).

I have absolutely no will power. I found my Winter 2008/09 Vogue Knitting on Wednesday night. I have lusted after this scarf since the magazine came out.

I started winding the yarn yesterday afternoon in the store. It is Bulky from Blue Sky Alpacas-I am using colour 1213 Jasmine. This is how far I was when I left work.

After work we went out for dinner with the parents-it is their anniversary on Sunday. 46 years. My dad says that mom has had 43 good years and he has had 3.

The yarn is used double strand on 15mm needles. The scarf is going to be very, very warm!!! This is where I stopped (4 skeins of 20 are knit)-I ran out of yarn while watching the Y&R and didn't want to go downstairs to get more-I was very comfortable on the couch.

There is always knitting sitting beside the couch so I picked up my Noro striped scarf and worked on it. I am almost through the first two balls.

How about Survivor last night? It could have been the best episode yet. All week they let us think that Russell was going home but I thought otherwise. If they show one person in the previews it usually isn't that person going home. Laura looked like she was going to spit bullets when Russell used the immunity idol. I hope he finds one again next week.

It is now 4:25 and I started this post at 10:15 this morning. The day has been crazy to say the least.

A van load of ladies came in from Barrie, King City, Woodbridge and Richmond Hill. They are referred to as 'the Joans'-there are 2 Joans along with an Elizabeth, Ann, Pat and Monica. They started their day in Ancaster with lunch followed by a couple of hours in the store. Thanks for visiting ladies.

Then the boxes started arriving. First was a box of sock yarn and Dale baby yarn and books. Then a box came from Lantern Moon-needles and more buttons. I just finished opening the box from Berroco-more Blackstone Tweed.

I need to go now-there is a finishing class here tonight and I'm not ready.

I haven't mentioned my knitting lately in my posts. There is a bit of knitting going on but not much. I am working on a shawl called 'Shawl that Jazz' by Samantha Roshak. Take a look at some of the finished pictures on Ravelry-very nice. It is an easy pattern to knit but I'm not moving quickly. I chose Aspire DK from Naturally-a wool/alpaca blend.

Every row of the shawl you knit one stitch less-the edge stitches are left for the ruffle. I am finally down to the part where the rows are starting to go quicker. You can't really see the stitch markers (sorry I chose pink) but the stitches lying flat on the chair are the live stitches I am still working with-these will continue to decrease down to no live stitches and just the stitches left for the ruffle. When done the body of the shawl you work all stitches on the needle and end up with a great ruffle.

We received in two shipments of Shawl Pins yesterday. Original Artworx are Fimo (clay) pins made in Florida. Moving Mud are glass pins made in Vermont.

When you visit the store you will notice shawl pins in many vests, cardigans and jackets. Shawl pins are much easier than making buttonholes and much neater. They are like jewelry-they add something to your garment. You can change the shawl pin depending on the occasion as well-dressy or casual depending where you are going.

Monday, November 09, 2009

My day started early yesterday. I was off to Toronto to one of my suppliers to see the new yarns for spring.

The three yarns I wanted to see were Noro, Debbie Bliss and Sirdar. There were many more that I will see when my sales rep comes to visit.

We carry a lot of Sirdar Baby Bamboo in the store because it is a great yarn and it sells well. There will be four new colours for spring-Yellow Submarine, Limey, Sailboat and Rinky Dinky Pink. There will also be a new pattern book.

Debbie Bliss has two new yarns for spring. Eco Baby (Eco Cotton came out in Aran weight last spring) - I think it is the same thickness as Cashmerino Baby. Of course there will be a great baby book to go with the Eco Baby yarn. Amalfi is 70% cotton, 15% viscose, 10% linen and 5% silk. The colours are muted and very pretty. A pattern magazine will come with the yarn but I didn't see it. There will also be a new Debbie Bliss magazine for spring. Unfortunately there weren't any pictures.

You know that I don't like Noro but I did take notes for what is coming. There are 4 new yarns-one will be a lace weight. Taiyo and Cherimen (both from last summer) have 6 new colours each.

Jenny Watson is one of my favourite designers and she has a new book for Noro-Catwalk 2. I have a copy of the magazine and scanned a few pictures in to show you. I am hoping to have the actual magazine in the store soon.

Silk Garden Lite, Taiyo, Kureyon, Silk Garden, Silk Garden Sock and Kureyon Sock are featured in the magazine. The cover jacket is knit in Taiyo.

I love this jacket (knit in Silk Garden) -might make it for myself but will definitely be adding some length.

Kureyon Sock. This will definitely be going to one of my knitters to make. The hardest part is going to be deciding on the colour. This looks great but I always try to use a different colour than the book.